DISCOVERIES, PART ONE

Disclaimer: None of the Pretender characters belong to me even as much as I wished they did. All I own is the story that I write.

A/N: I want to thank Dede for betaing this story. She's been great! =)

It all started when Jarod came on this unannounced visit. Normally it would be rather nice to talk to him in person, but not this time – too much was at stake here! He had been looking for something. It was either that or he had decided to pull one of the pranks which he obviously had grown rather fond of. But he had brought nothing with him – so it had to be something that he was searching for. But what was it? Sydney hadn't the faintest idea on what it could be. He had to think about that later and maybe search through some of the Centres latest files – see if there was anything new. All he knew was that Jarod hadn't found what he was looking for.

But that didn't mean that he hadn't found something – oh no! He had found something that Sydney had hoped to keep away from him, something that he never was supposed to see.

Sydney again picked up the box that had started this whole mess. Why had he kept these things? Of sentimental reasons, that said itself, but he should have known better. With a job like this *sigh*, you couldn't afford to be overcome with emotions. He carefully picked up each object and studied them thoroughly. They sure brought back memories. Both pleasant and unpleasant.

A shudder went through him as he thought of what might have happened if Miss Parker or Broots had come in with him. Well, Broots he could handle, but not Miss Parker. What was wrong with her? She was wearing a mask; over the years he had sometimes been able to see at least partly of her true face – and what he had seen and discovered was a lot better than the mask she was wearing.

            But still, if she had been here.....

Jarod had been unable to control his emotions upon finding this box. If he had started talking about the father/son feelings, Sydney knew they would never give Jarod back to him.

And finally – the confrontation. Jarod was convinced that Sydney looked at him as his son. Which was true, to some extent. At least that was what Sydney had convinced himself over the years, and he wasn't all-sure if he wanted to disturb those emotions. But for the emotions he had this day – those had to be put under control and sorted out before he could face Jarod again. It was imperative. Or else this whole thing would end with disaster – which was pretty much where it was headed already.

No, this was a very complicated situation. And Sydney didn't have the faintest idea on how to deal with it!

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The sweepers weren't exactly gentle when they pushed Jarod into something that resembled a cell. There were bars in front of the little window in one corner, and the door was of massive steel. Come to think of it – it was a cell. And Jarod was not happy to be there. But what could he have done? Run away and let Sydney take it all on himself.... no, he couldn't do that. Not to Sydney.

Miss Parker stepped into the room and let the door slam shut behind her. Jared was staring at her, and there was something about his glare that made her very uncomfortable. She wondered for a little while why that could be, but ended up just shrugging it off. She had gotten him back and there was nothing that could spoil her moment of glory.

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Lyle ran as fast as he could down the hall. He couldn't believe his own ears when Willie came and told him what had happened. His sister had retrieved the Centres most valuable property. Guess she wasn't as incompetent as he thought…might want to put a little more time into ensuring that she didn't find out about what he was doing…. Finally he reached his goal and then his breath sounded worse and more strained than the person he had to talk to. He really had to begin to work out.

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"So...wonder boy...you finally got caught. I imagine that you truly believed
we would never catch you." Jarod studied Miss Parker as she spoke. She
couldn't have wiped the grin away to save her life.

"One question springs to mind though...Sydney was protecting you - why did
you give yourself up?" No point in answering that, she thinks she has the
answer. She didn't wait for a possible response to her question, but carried
on talking while walking around in the room - all the time studied by Jarod.

"I will find out why.... I know how much you cherished the little freedom
you had...after all, I've been working on your case for a very long time
now. I will find out." Now she would stop and turn. She stopped and turned
towards the door.

"Sam!" Slow, confidant steps towards the door. Her steps towards the door
was taken slowly...to make sure that Jarod understood that she could walk in
and out when she wanted to and he couldn't. She was stronger.

"Guess we aren't finished with each other after all." Turn of head and a
satisfied grin before she left...She turned her head and grinned before
stepping out the door.

He knew her all too well.

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Sydney was still thinking about the night's events and old memories were coming back at full force. They weren't all pleasant – pretty much the opposite for all of them. God, how could they have done those things to an innocent child?! He always tried to think that he wasn't a part of it

–  That he was better and not so cruel. It wasn't true; he was as bad as the others. In some ways Raines was better than him because he didn't try to hide his true self. *That* was not a pleasant thought, but it had to be sought out and thought over.  Maybe it was time for him to leave the Centre….

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Now that Ms. Parker had left, and Jarod was sitting in complete darkness, he started to analyse the things that had happened. He was, in a way, glad that it was dark. He thought better then.

            Sydney saw him as a son. There was no doubt about it. At first there had been, but that doubt got smaller when Jarod studied his mentors eyes – and it disappeared completely when he heard that Sydney refused to tell Miss Parker where Jarod was, even if he knew that he would get in trouble; if it had been anyone else than him it might have been lethal.

Question was: what should he do about it? Every second he spent with Sydney was videotaped and recorded. If he tried to talk about it then he was sure that he would never see Sydney again.

Only way was to get Sydney to leave the Centre with him. Then they could talk – but how should he do it? He had never understood why, but Sydney felt this obligation to the Centre. Making him leave would not be easy…

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"Jarod is back…. Are you completely sure of this?" Raines stepped closer to Lyle as he spoke – visibly angry and upset. Lyle looked scared for a second, but caught himself and calmly answered… "Yes, I'm sure". "This is bad" Raines turned away and headed for the door, apparently talking to himself, but loud enough for Lyle to hear. "He couldn't have returned on a less convenient time… we must speed things up"

End part four.

So, what do you think of it so far? Please review!! I need to know what people think of this story before I consider continuing it… =)